Sunday, January 07, 2007 Copper extraction in Basay legal By Syril Repe
THE Provincial Government of Negros Oriental clarified the legality of copper concentrate extraction from the former CDCP Mining site in Barangay Cabatuanan in Basay.
Provincial Legal Counsel Erwin Vergara said the Tribu Bukidnon was granted a special permit to haul the abandoned waste material, which is called the copper concentrate.
President of Tribu Bukidnon Rene Truno was once called to Vergara's office and was asked to apply for a special permit to make the activity legal.
Vergara said the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) organized the Tribu Bukidnon and has declared the mining site as part of the certificate of ancestral domain.
A group from the ENRD of the Province conducted an on site inspection and was found out that many are extracting the identified abandoned waste materials of the mining company.
Vergara said before the permit was granted, certain conditions were set requiring all those involved in the extraction of copper concentrate to wear gloves and mask for protection.
It was noted that copper concentrate when wet can be hazardous to human health and is identified toxic. But during the recent visit in Cabatuanan children are working without wearing any protection material.
Vergara promised to address the said report to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
